Marian devotion
Saenamteo, by the Han River in Seoul, is a central place in the memory of the Korean martyrs. The parish and the sanctuary are entrusted to Mary Queen of the Martyrs, mother who remained by the cross and accompanied those who give their lives by fidelity to Christ.
Advocation: Mary Queen of the Martyrs.
Official Korean name: 순교자의 소리 Voice of the Martyrs Korea window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer []; function gtag(){dataLayer.push(arguments);} gtag('js', new Date()); gtag('config', 'UA-133157522-1'); Sungyoja- ui I can.
Temple: The Holy Church and the sanctuary of the martyrs.
Address: 80-8 Ichon-ro, Yongsan-gu, Seoul 04374, South Korea.
Parish Erection: August 21, 1981.
Memorial on site: 1956.
Conmemorative temple: started in 1984 and consecrated in 1987.
Jurisdiction: Catholic archdiocese of Seoul.
Coordinates checked: 37.5250493, 126.9570063.
Parish, sanctuary and historical place
The Episcopal Conference of Korea records Saenamteo as a parish of the Archdiocese of Seoul, founded in 1981 and dedicated to the Queen of the Martyrs. The same area is recognized as a sanctuary by Korean ecclesial organizations.
The memory does not depend only on the present temple. It is linked to the historical place next to the Han where numerous Catholics were executed during the Joseon persecutions.
An old place of execution
Saenamteo was a field of military exercises and execution of convicted of crimes considered serious by the State. During the 19th century it became a stage of Catholic martyrdom.
To name this story requires sobriety. Suffering should not be transformed into spectacle or used to promote hostility against the Korean people or their culture.
Father Zhou Wen@-@ mo in 1801
During the Sinyu persecution of 1801, the Chinese priest Zhou Wen@-@ mo, known in Korea as the "Sinju" was executed here, who had served the young Catholic community secretly.
His presence recalls the early links between the Church of Korea and China and the risk taken by those who accompanied persecuted communities.
The missionaries of 1839
In the Gihae persecution of 1839, Bishop Laurenteo-Joseph- Marius Imbert and priests Pierre- Philibert Maubant and Jacques- Honoré Chastan were executed in Saenamteo.
His death is part of the memory of the 103 canonized martyrs, but his fidelity must not be separated from that of many Korean laity.
San Andrés Kim Tae-gon in 1846
During the persecution of Byeongo in 1846 St. Andrew Kim Tae-gon, the first Korean Catholic priest, died here along with the catechist Saint Charles Hyeon Seok@-@ mun.
Pope Francis has remembered that the young priest Andrew Kim became a precious seed of a fiery faith, lived as love for God and his neighbor.
The martyrs of 1866
The Byeongin persecution also led to Saenamteo Bishop Siméon- François Berneux, to the priest Pierre- Henri Dorie and to other missionaries and faithful.
The municipal sources also cite the laity Jeong Ui-bae and U Se-yeong. The memory of the place brings together various vocations and procedures.
The earth recovered for memory
In 1950 the Church acquired land near the place considered historic and dedicated it to memorial. In 1956 a monument was erected with the inscription that recognized it as a Catholic sanctuary of martyrs.
Since 1957, the Congregation of Korean Martyrs has taken care of the sanctuary, according to public historical documentation.
A parish since 1981
Saenamteo was erected as parish August 21, 1981. It is not, therefore, just a museum or monument: there is a Christian community that celebrates and lives next to memory.
His patronage of the Queen of the Martyrs unites the history of the place with the daily spirituality of the parish.
The Korean memorial temple
The construction of the great commemorative temple began in 1984, two hundred years after the birth of the Catholic Church in Korea, and ended three years later.
The sources of tourism and of the city highlight its design inspired by Korean architecture, different from Western ecclesial models. Inculturation expresses that faith can take root without despising local culture.
Mary Queen of the Martyrs
Mary did not die of martyr by execution, but remained by the cross of Jesus and shared her pain within. The Church sees her as the mother and queen of those who bear witness to death.
His royalty does not glorify violence. He accompanies fidelity and recalls that Christian martyrdom never consists in killing, but in refusing to give up love and truth.
Martirio is not a search for death
Martyrs are not honored because they despise life. They are remembered because they remained faithful when they were required to betray their conscience.
Devotion does not authorize the search for unnecessary dangers, the promotion of fanaticism or the calling of martyrdom to any personal conflict.
Memory with truth and respect
A responsible visit recognizes the injustice of persecution without simply judging entire generations. History requires context, sources and compassion.
The memory of the victims is best preserved when it helps to defend today the religious freedom and dignity of everyone, also of those who profess another faith.
A bridge between Korea and China
The presence of Father Zhou Wenmo shows that the Catholic history of Korea is linked to China. Books, baptisms and relationships crossed borders before stable structures existed.
Saenamteo invites us to pray for both peoples and for those who live their faith under restrictions today.
Saenamteo and Korean reconciliation
The fidelity of the martyrs teaches to resist oppression without dehumanizing the adversary. From the sanctuary you can pray for those who live without freedom in the north and for separate families.
Reconciliation does not erase the truth. He seeks peace with justice, memory and respect for conscience.
verified location for the map
The episcopal directory places the parish in 80-8 Ichon-ro. The sources of the sanctuary and the nominal mapping identify Saenamteo Catholic Holy Place of the Martyrs in 37.5250493, 126.9570063.
The marker corresponds to the shrine and memorial temple next to the Han, not to the generic center of Ichon-dong or to another shrine of Seoul.
Para peregrinar
The hours of mass, museum and sanctuary should be consulted directly before you go. The place is part of the Catholic pilgrimage routes of Seoul.
The visit must remain silent, respect relics and avoid invasive photographs during celebrations. You can read the life of a concrete martyr and pray for freedom of conscience.
Prayer to Mary Queen of the Martyrs of Saenamteo
Mary, Queen of the Martyrs, keeps the sanctuary and parish of Saenamteo. He receives the memory of those who gave their lives for Christ and teach us a faithfulness without hatred. It protects those who are persecuted, strengthens freedom of conscience and opens the way of truth, reconciliation and peace for Korea, China and all peoples. Amen.
Sources consulted
- Episcopal Conference of Korea: official record of the parish of Saenamteo.
- Episcopal Commission for Beatification and Canonization: Saenamteo Sanctuary.
- Seoul Metropolitan Government: History, Martyrs and Memorial Temple.
- Korean Tourism Organization: Catholic shrine of Saenamteo.
- Pope Francis: audience of Korean pilgrims and testimony of St. Andrew Kim.
- Cartography used to verify the sanctuary.
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